Times Square bomb vehicle owner questioned by police as New York vows to catch plotter

The owner of the vehicle used in the failed New York car bombing was questioned by police yesterday.

Crime scene: A CCTV camera captures the Nissan Pathfinder, left, moving in Times Square near hundreds of people.

The unnamed person was traced after detectives found the vehicle identification number stamped on the engine of the 1993 Nissan Pathfinder.

Investigators were also trying to trace a white man in his forties seen removing his shirt and putting it in a plastic bag during CCTV footage taken near the scene.

Attorney general Eric Holder said investigators had some good leads besides the videotape of the man but it was too early to say if the incident was linked to overseas terror groups.

City mayor Michael Bloomberg urged caution, saying the person on the tape may not become a suspect.

âThere are millions of people that come through Times Square,â he told reporters.

âThis person happened to be in a position where a camera got a good shot of him, and maybe he had something to do with it but thereâs a very good chance that he did not. Weâre exploring a lot of leads.â

The NYPD and FBI are examining âhundreds of hoursâ of security video-tape around busy Times Square.

Police yesterday released an image of the dark-coloured SUV at 6.28pm local time on Saturday.

A vendor saw smoke creeping out of the vehicle and notified authorities. Although it was âamateurishâ the bomb would have caused a large fireball had it gone off, police said.

It was built using large propane cylinders, petrol and a clock device.

The Pakistan Taliban claimed to be behind the failed attack but New York officials said police have no evidence to support the claim and noted the same group had falsely claimed responsibility for previous attacks on American soil. Homeland security secretary Janet Napolitano said no suspects had been ruled out.